“Afraid they’ll send you back to prison? In my day, I would have pulled my time. I wouldn’t have had to deal with no parole,” the woman bragged.
“Did they have cars and airplanes back then or were people still riding horses?” Colton joked.
“I’ll shove a horse up your ass,” Gert mock threatened.
Vida couldn’t keep from laughing, turning the woman’s attention towards her.
“Who’s the bitch?”
Vida stiffened, ready to snap a remark back at the woman.
This time it was Colton laughing. Putting an arm around Vida’s shoulder, he pulled her close to his side.
“This is Vida.”
“She’s pretty. What does she want with your ass?”
Colton smiled, answering her question without words. Vida wanted to strangle him.
“Go on in. Ice is waiting for you. Your bitch can wait out here with the others and me.
“But I want…” Vida interrupted.
“Doesn’t matter what you want. No women are allowed in church. Go on, Colton, I got this.”
“I won’t be long,” he said before disappearing behind a door to the side of them.
“Come on, I’ll show you around.” Gert’s no nonsense attitude left Vida without a choice.
Gert led her into a large room with several chairs, two pool tables and a large bar with several bar stools. A large group of women were sitting in the oversized chairs, talking. They were all of various ages; several seemed to be her own age or younger, but there were many who were older.
They stopped talking when Gert entered the room with her.
“This is Colton’s old lady, so you bitches better behave,” she threatened the women. “You want a beer?” she asked Vida.
“Thanks.” Right now Vida needed all the alcohol she could get with the women all staring at her.
Gert went behind the bar before coming back with a cold beer, handing it to her. “Thank you.”
“Well, isn’t she polite,” a blond said snidely.
“Better watch your mouth,” a pretty brunette said, getting up and coming forward.
“Why do we have to kiss her ass? Colton’s not a member anymore. Dumb fuck got caught…” A loud smack across her face had her falling backward into the chair she was sitting on. Gert was standing over her.
“I told you to be nice, bitch.” The blond shut up, holding her cheek.
“That’s Rita, and I’m Crush.” Vida smiled at the pretty brunette. “Have a seat, and I’ll introduce everyone else. Vida took an empty seat next to a young looking girl, wondering if she was even eighteen.
“Hi, I’m Rave.”
As the other women introduced themselves, Vida wasn’t sure she would remember their names, she was so nervous.
“How did you meet Colton?” Rave asked. Vida told them about her meeting Colton at the strip club and even the women that had given her a cool reception seemed to defrost.
Rita came to sit next to her. “I didn’t realize you were a sister. From the way you were dressed, I thought you were a stuck up cow. I stripped, too, before I met Lizard. He didn’t like a bunch of strangers staring at my tits.”
“He doesn’t mind if every man in the club sees them,” Gert taunted.
“That’s different.” Rita shrugged her shoulders.
“Yeah, he knows you’re a slut,” Gert interrupted again.
“Old woman, I’ll pull that grey hair out of your head for free if you don’t shut the fuck up.”
Gert leaned back in her chair laughing. “Come and get me.”
Rita ignored her, turning back to Vida. They were still talking when the men came into the room. Colton came under attack from several of the women, each trying to get his attention. Several even kissed him on the mouth, taking turns. Vida’s blood was beginning to boil.
“Calm down, they’re just saying hi,” Gert said by her side.
“They don’t have to use their tongue to do it,” Vida replied sharply.
Colton, seeing her, broke free from the women and came to her side. He curled his arm around her waist and pulled her close as Ice and Max managed to edge through the crowd.
“Vida, you remember Ice and Max?” Another man came to stand by Ice. “That’s Buzzard. He’s Ice’s vice-president.
Vida acknowledged each man, her eyes on the one behind the group with the scar.
Colton’s arm tightened on her when he saw who she was staring at.
“That’s Jackal. He’s Ice’s sergeant-at-arms.”
“Why did Ice need to see you?” Vida dragged her attention from the club members, concerned for Sawyer’s safety.
“Ice wanted to tell me what went down last night. Seems the FBI hit the recording studio, the basement had about ten women held there, and they were in bad shape. A couple of Digger’s men were arrested. Digger was there, but he managed to escape.”
“No.” Vida couldn’t believe the slimy bastard managed to get away.
“Yes, stupid fucks let him slip through their fucking fingers. Now he’s blaming King for ratting him out and he’s determined to get back at him then kill him, in that order,” Ice confirmed her worst fear.
“How do you know?”
No one answered.
Vida remembered what Seth had told her about Digger having some friends left in the Predators. Vida was willing to bet that one or two were merely pretending to maintain an eye on what Digger was up to. Then another thought occurred to her.
“Digger will go after Sawyer,” Vida whispered. If there was a connection to King, he would kill Sawyer. “We have to find her.”
“We already have the word out. It’s going to take time.” From his voice, Ice didn’t hold out much hope.
Vida turned toward Colton, burying her face in his chest, not wanting anyone to see her crying.
“We’ll find her, baby.” Colton tried to give her hope, but Vida knew from losing Callie that sometime help came too late.
They stayed until it grew dark. Colton stood at the bar with his friends, laughing and joking around. He had lost a lot when he had gone to prison for Tessa. He had a life, friends and a business he had sacrificed so the woman he had married and who had carried his child wouldn’t suffer.
“He’s a nice guy,” Gert said next to her.
“Yes, I’m finding that out,” agreed Vida.
“One woman has already fucked him over. I understand your friend is in trouble, but I don’t want Colton to get himself in trouble again trying to protect another woman.”
Vida stared at Colton. Gert was right, he had no stake in this. He was only involved because of her. “I won’t let him get hurt,” Vida promised.
“If you do, I’m going to kick your ass,” Gert promised with a hard glare.
“Okay.” Vida was going to make sure that Colton wasn’t hurt, whatever it took, although it had very little to do with Gert’s promise.
“What are you both looking so serious about?” Colton asked, handing Vida another beer.
“I’m telling her she needs to get some sexier clothes if she’s going to be your bitch,” Gert lied.
“I like her just the way she is. Leave her alone, Gert.”
“I will. If she takes my advice,” she said with a meaningful look.
“You ready?”
“Yes,” Vida answered.
Colton went to tell Ice they were leaving while Vida said goodbye to Rita, Crush and the other women. As they left, she caught Ice and Jackal’s eyes on her. She had a feeling that they had the same idea as Gert, that she was leading Colton down the same path Tessa had. Vida was going to prove them wrong.
Chapter 19
When they returned to the apartment, Vida dried the clothes she had washed earlier and started another load. Colton didn’t volunteer to fold the clothes when she dried the second load, but he did rub lotion onto her tattoo. Vida figured it was an even trade.
“Do you think Tessa will show up for work tomorrow?” Vida asked, watching
for his reaction.
“Not if she’s smart,” he said grimly.
“It doesn’t matter, Colton. If she wants to come back, let her. I feel sorry for her.”
Colton looked at her as if she was crazy.
“I do. I don’t know that I would act much better if I saw you with another woman,” she confessed.
“You wouldn’t lie. You would get mad and probably throw something, but you wouldn’t lie. Roni would have told her the truth, that I never touched Goldie. Tessa always lies, either to cause trouble or get out of trouble. She never tells the truth.”
Vida couldn’t understand why the woman had destroyed her marriage for drugs. Instead of owning up to it to try to save her marriage, she had lied. Even more, selling herself to keep the lie going.
Tired, Vida showered and dressed in her pajamas. She came out to find Colton waiting for her on the bed with a wicked grin.
“Oh no, you don’t. I’m tired and sore,” Vida said adamantly.
Colton held out his arms for her and Vida sank down into them. “I like this.”
“I do, too,” Colton replied. “Of course, I like the other, too.”
Vida’s eyes closed. “Did you try to call King again?”
“Yes, he’s still not answering and no one has seen him at the club.”
“Could Digger have him?” Vida was worried. Even though King was ruthless, he had tried to help when no one else would.
“I don’t know. We’ll just have to wait for now,” Colton replied.
Wait. That was all she had been doing the last few weeks. She was getting sick of it.
Vida’s mind went back over that day that Callie was almost hit by the car, trying to figure out what she’d missed. It was impossible; it had been too long ago for her to remember the details of that day perfectly enough. The only way to find out was to find Sawyer. She was the only possibility of figuring out how King was involved in this mess. They had to find Sawyer, she was the answer.
***
Vida volunteered to get coffee across the street while Colton opened the shop.
“Don’t be long.”
“I won’t.” Vida crossed the street.
The coffee shop was busy with the line out the door. She was about to turn away, not wanting to worry Colton, when she heard the sound of a car slamming on their brakes. A car double-parked, not noticing the other cars =blowing horns behind it because of being cut off. The drivers behind the parked car began driving around the double-parked one.
Wondering what the hurry was for a cup of coffee, Vida recognized the woman getting out of the car and waving at her.
“Vida, come here!” Ashley yelled when Vida didn’t move toward her.
“What are you doing? That car almost hit you,” Vida said, noticing the woman wasn’t wearing make-up and looked scared to death.
“Get in. I need to talk to you,” Ashley said, getting back inside her car. Vida hesitated, but got inside the car. The woman looked too frightened for Vida to ignore.
“What’s wrong?” Vida asked as soon as she was in the car.
“King’s disappeared.”
“I know. I’ve been trying to get in touch with him.”
“He disappeared after that stunt we pulled with Briggs.”
“That same night?”
“He was furious when I came downstairs and told him what Briggs told me. He took off, and no one’s seen him since. I heard about Briggs getting arrested and Digger getting away. I may not be the smartest cookie in the pack, but I’m smart enough to get my ass out of town, and you should, too. I don’t plan on ending up like those poor women in that basement. I can’t be a sex slave. I don’t even like sex with men. I like women more than men.” The woman was giving more information than Vida wanted or needed.
“Slow down, Ashley. Tell me what Briggs told you.”
“After you left, he drank some more. I couldn’t understand half of what he was talking about, but then he started talking about a chick named Sawyer. Sherri told me the only reason you were stripping was to help your friend Sawyer. I didn’t figure there were two women named Sawyer, so I knew he was talking about your friend.”
“What did he say?” Vida tried to keep her on track.
“He just said a name over and over. Said King would never find her.”
“What was the name?”
Ashley reached into her pocket and held out a piece of paper. “I don’t know what it means and I don’t want to. I’m moving back in with my parents. If you want my advice, Vida, it’s to get out of town at least until King shows back up at the club. If he does.”
Ashley put the car in gear. Vida took the hint, getting out of the car, and watched as Ashley pulled out, cutting off another furious driver.
Vida opened the piece of paper, reading the name on it. She drew a blank, not knowing what it meant. Mouth2Mouth. However she did know where she could find the answer.
Vida rushed into the tattoo shop, ignoring Colton, Reverend and Carlito who all stared at her empty hands.
“Where’s the coffee? Colton said you were getting it,” Carlito asked.
“I forgot it,” Vida said, powering up her computer.
“What’s happened?” Colton asked, frowning.
“Ashley was outside. She told me Briggs told her something, but she didn’t know what it meant. I’m going to look it up on the internet.” She handed him the piece of paper.
Colton opened the paper with both Carlito and Reverend looking over his shoulder.
“What does it mean?” Carlito asked, just when the computer flashed the answer.
“It’s a band,” Vida answered. Briggs had bragged that Digger provided women to movie and rock stars.
“Why would they be crazy enough to become involved with Briggs?” Colton asked.
“Maybe they don’t know. Briggs said that by the time Digger lets them loose, they don’t even try to get away anymore,” Vida repeated Briggs’s words.
“Motherfucker, I want to meet this bastard,” Reverend swore.
“Do you think that this band has Sawyer? Digger said whoever had her didn’t want to give her back. Musicians have security; that might be why Digger couldn’t get her back.”
“That makes sense. I think you’re right. If Ashley told King, this might be where he’s at, trying to find Sawyer.” Colton speculated.
“She said he left right after she told him.” Vida turned off her computer, packing it back in the bag. Standing up, she saw the men all staring at her.
“Where do you think you’re going?” Colton questioned her.
“They have a concert the day after tomorrow. I plan to be there.”
“Okay. Reverend, take Vida back to the apartment. Vida, pack us enough clothes to last a week. Carlito, you stay here. I’m going to go see my parole officer, that will give me a week until I have to report again. You’ll have to run the shop while I’m gone. I’ll cancel all my appointments until I get back.”
“You’re not going with me.” Vida was determined to put a stop to his plans.
“Yes, I am. There’s no way you’re going by yourself. Not only is King probably headed there, but also Digger. That concert is one big cluster fuck waiting to happen,” Colton predicted.
“You’re not going. I won’t take a chance on you breaking you’re parole. I won’t be the reason you’re sent back to prison,” Vida argued back.
“You don’t have a choice. I’m going. In fact, I’d like it better if you stayed here. Ice can watch over you until I get back.”
“Stop it, Colton.” Vida sank back down in the chair. “Neither of us will go, I’ll call Seth.”
“After everything you’ve gone through, you’re going to give up? You stripped on stage to keep her safe, why would you give up now?”
“I’m not giving up. I just won’t jeopardize you going back to jail. I love Sawyer, but I love you, too.” A sound in the doorway had everyone turning. Tessa stood, listening to them with the open door in her h
and.
“I need to get my machine, and a few other things. Is that all right?” Tessa asked. Vida felt her sympathy stir. Tessa looked like she hadn’t slept since the argument with Colton.
“Go ahead, Tessa,” Colton said, turning his back on her. Tessa didn’t try to talk to the other two men as she went on back to her room. Vida felt Colton’s gaze on her the whole time. The door opened again and clients began coming in.
“Go to work, Colton. I’ll call Seth as soon as I get everyone checked in and let him know what’s going on. The room was bugged that night; they probably are already moving to get Sawyer back, maybe that’s why Seth hasn’t called me.”
“All right, but come to me as soon as you talk to him.”
“I will,” Vida agreed.
The men got to work with their appointments. Tessa came into the lobby, pausing beside the counter. Vida looked back at her, waiting for the nastiness to spill out of her.
“I’m sorry for the other day,” Tessa said.
Shocked was an understatement to what Vida felt when she heard Tessa’s words.
“I understand, Tessa. I don’t think I would take it well if I lost Colton, either.”
“I lost Colton because I couldn’t admit I had a problem. I went to rehab, went through all the steps, yet I never apologized to Colton and he was the one I hurt the most.”
“It’s not too late, Tessa.”
“Yes, it is.” Vida watched as Tessa walked out the front door, not taking the opportunity to go back and apologize to Colton. Vida had hoped that Tessa would try to make amends, but she had been wrong.
Vida kept trying to get Seth on the phone, using the number he’d given her. His message box was full. She was beginning to get angry with him. The least he could do was keep her informed after what she had done.
Determined to get in touch with him, she called the FBI’s main office for the State of Texas. It took several phone calls and being redirected several times before she was connected to a nearby office. in which Seth had been assigned.
“Hello?” Vida had asked for Seth and had met silence on the other end. “Hello? Are you still there?”
“Yes, Ms.--. I’m afraid I have some bad news about your friend. Seth Redman was killed on duty. I’m afraid that’s all the information that can be released at this time.”